It is fair to say Denis Neale is one of the greats of English table tennis – and he is the subject of our latest interview in our Road to London 2026 series.
That World Championships medal came alongside Mary Wright in 1969 in Munich, when they reached the Mixed Doubles semi-finals.
“Mary was a world-class player. With Mary, we maybe won a dozen national or international tournaments. You can have a good player with another really good player, but in doubles, it’s about combining together and that’s what we did”.
“They were all tough matches [in the 1969 World Championships]. We won the quarters, then the semis, we lost to a better pair who went on to win the title”.
Mary Wright and Denis Neale – Photo by Tony Ross
Claiming this World Championship Bronze was the highlight of an outstanding career which also included six national Men’s Singles titles, including victories over some of the greats including Ian Harrison, Chester Barnes, Nicky Jarvis and Des Douglas.
“Becoming National Champion was fantastic, I couldn’t believe it. At that time it was just a dream! After you win it once, you try to get more”.
Denis in action in 1977 – Photo by Tony Ross
Denis also reflected on his early days of table tennis in Middlesbrough, the fortuitous meeting with Alan Ransome which set him on the path not only to individual success but also saw Ormesby become the first and only English club to win the Europe Club Cup.
“I started playing at thirteen at a club called Newport Boys’ Club, after about three months, a lad called Alan Ransome came to the club. I beat him! It gave me a lot of incentive to better myself. I was playing six hours a day minimum, seven days a week. I enjoyed it that much!”
And that victory for Ormesby in 1972 remains something that Denis still holds dear.
“When we had the 50th anniversary a few years ago, I was saying a speech and I started crying, then Nicky Jarvis came on and burst into tears as well. Sometimes you go to bed and you think about it”
Denis (on the right) with his Ormesby teammates after their 1972 Europe Club Cup victory
Core memories didn’t just come from on the table action. He also tells the tales behind two infamous photos which include a visit to 10 Downing Street – and why he jumped fully clothed off a 10m diving board into the pool below.
“England used to have all of our training camps at Crystal Palace, and I’d jumped off that board hundreds of times. I said if I lost to Chester Barnes, I’d jump off that board… well I did lose to him. A lot of people were there, the press were there, and I just jumped off and everybody applauded! Nobody knew I’d done that so many times before!
Denis Neale causing a splash at Crystal Palace
Throughout it all, one thing remains clear. Denis has a passion from the game which is reflected in his success over the years.
“I’ve done well for myself, I’ve gone from zero to a good standard of living which is good, but the most important thing is, I love table tennis”
Watch the interview in full below (still photos provided by Diane Webb, Chair of the Archives, Museum and Records Committee).
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